POLICE investigations as part of a major crackdown on graffiti have revealed one of the yobs arrested during recent dawn raids was responsible for more than 50 tags a day.
The raids, part of Operation Jiltch, took place around Lyndon, Yardley and Sheldon and targeted a gang calling themselves 'Lyndon Youth' or 'Reckless Vandals'.
The group even filmed their exploits and posted footage on the YouTube website, which helped lead to their identification by the police.
The amount of just how much graffiti the gang was responsible for was revealed by Sgt Carol Aldred from Solihull police.
She said: "One lad has said he was responsible for at least 50 tags a day over three months.
"I think we have struck a good blow, though I am loath to say we have won the war. I'm sure another gang will come along but what we have done shows we will be tough on it - we have not gone through a cautioning policy or given them the benefit of the doubt.
"It might seem like small fry to some people but it causes thousands of pounds worth of damage."
She added that all the people arrested as part of the operation had been interviewed and the majority had admitted graffiti offences. The CPS is now in the process of making a decision about what will happen next.
Another initiative by Halfords has also been welcomed by the police.
Much of the graffiti in the Lyndon and Elmdon areas was caused by spray paint cans which officers believe had been stolen from Halfords stores.
Now Halfords management responsible for the Coventry Road and Shirley stores have agreed to display the cans in prominent places and ensure they are covered by security cameras.
Sgt Aldred added: "We applaud them and say 'well done Halfords'. This is the sort of thing that can make a big difference."
